What is a British Miniature Horse?
A Miniature Horse should be a perfectly scaled down version of a quality ridden horse. We do not seek to miniaturise any particular breed, but would give as a guide to type, somewhere between a Hack and a Hunter as being the correct height to weight ratio.
Breed Standard
General Impression
The British Miniature Horse is a miniature version of a well balanced animal with the same conformational traits as a full sized quality ridden horse. The overall impression is of an individual with symmetry, strength, alertness and agility with the size of the body proportionate to the length of leg. Movement is strong, natural and athletic, demonstrating suppleness of the shoulders and engagement of the hocks.
Temperament
The British Miniature Horse is intelligent, gentle, sensible, willing to cooperate and easy to train.
Size
Measuring is at the highest point of the withers. At 4 years old and over horses must not be more than 87cms. Horses younger than 4 years must conform to the size chart available on the BMHS website, www.bmhs.co.uk
Colour
Any colour, pattern, white markings or eye colour are acceptable.
Head
The head should be in proportion to the neck and body. The profile should be straight or very slightly dished below the eyes. Forehead should be medium width with bright, alert eyes. Muzzle in proportion to the head.
Bite
When viewed from the side, the meeting point of the incisor teeth should be equal and even. The accuracy of the bite may vary according to age. As the premolars and molars move into location, the alignment of the jaw could vary during this process.
Ears
The ears are set on top of the head and carried alertly. They are medium in size and well shaped.
Neck
The neck should rise out of a well angulated shoulder (approximately 45o). The length should be in proportion to the body with the top line (poll to wither) being considerably longer than the bottom line.
Shoulders and Withers
The shoulders should be sloping at about 45o allowing for a free swinging stride and alert head and neck. Well defined withers which at maturity should be level with the hind quarters.
Body
The body should be deep through the heart and the back should be short. It should be easy to imagine where a saddle would fit. The animal should be close coupled with well sprung ribs. Hindquarters should be strong and well developed with a well set tail. The chest should neither be too narrow giving the appearance of both legs coming out of the same hole, nor too wide giving the horse a rolling gait.
Forelegs
A good muscular forearm tapering down to the knee. Flat knees and short flat cannon bone. The leg should neither be over or back at the knee. Pasterns should slope approximately 450 and blend smoothly with no change of angle into the hooves to the ground. When viewed from the front toes should point forward.
Hind legs
Plenty of length from the hip to the hock. Viewed from the side, hind legs should not be too straight or have too much of an angle. Hocks should demonstrate proper flexion for athletic movement. Cannons should be short and perpendicular, with the pasterns approximately 450 and blend smoothly with no change of angle into the hooves to the ground. An imaginary vertical line drawn from the point of the buttock to the ground should touch the hock and the back of the fetlock joint. When viewed from behind the hooves should point forward and the hocks parallel.
Action
Walk – a long, low swing to the step, the front foot toe landing first giving a good naturally balanced animal. Room between the elbow and the ribs to allow free flowing movement. The imprints of the hind feet should overreach the imprints of the fore feet.
Trot – the horse should move its whole shoulder giving full extension to the fore leg. The hock should come well underneath the body to lighten the forehand.
Horses should move straight both in front and behind.
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To be eligible for registration onto the BMHS Stud Book a foal must have two BMHS registered parents. Horses with one registered parent are eligible for the Part Bred appendix. If the registered parent is the sire he must be fully licensed. (See 'Part Bred Register' under 'Registration' on this website). Horses may also be assessed for the breeding register only (see 'Registration', 'Eligibility and Hardshipping'). Unregistered horses may compete in Star Seeker Classes to qualify for the Star Seeker Championship the Champion is eligible for registration subject to assessment, vetting and measurement. (See 'Showing' 'Star Seeker Series')
Our miniatures are in every way horses so have the same requirements as any equine both for nutrition and housing and they require the companionship of their own species. Properly introduced they can make suitable companions to larger horses particularly when stabled or travelling. However, they have so much to offer in their own right with full size personalities and characters. They are quick to learn and eager to please and can be taught to jump, perform dressage movements, complete obstacle courses and also to drive, being able to pull approximately 1.5 times their own weight. Happy to be the centre of attention our miniatures enjoy visiting schools and hospices as well as making television appearances.
